US President Donald Trump on Tuesday made a historic public broadside against a federal judge handling his administration’s deportation drive, calling for him to be impeached.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump attacked Judge James Boasberg appointed by former President Barack Obama without naming him specifically. He labelled Boasberg a “radical left lunatic” and accused him of hindering his administration’s clampdown on suspected Venezuelan gangsters.
This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was tragically appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President,” Trump stated. “I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY.”
Trump justified his deportation policy as fulfilling the will of his voters, insisting that judges who attempt to block his actions should be impeached. “I’m just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do,” he said.
First Public Attack on Judiciary
While Trump’s supporters, such as billionaire Elon Musk, have before called for judges who are opposed to his immigration policies to be impeached, this is the first time Trump has himself condemned a judge presiding over such cases.
Invoking the Alien Enemies Act
The court case is a result of the Trump administration’s deployment of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law rarely used by the president to detain or deport citizens of hostile countries without a court trial. Traditionally invoked during times of war, the law was once used in World War I and II.
Trump’s administration invoked the law to declare Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan crime gang, an “invading force,” alleging it was engaging in “irregular warfare” for the government of Venezuela.
“I will order our government to make full and vigorous use of federal and state law enforcement capabilities to eradicate all foreign gangs,” Trump stated.
